Isaac Newton Bust: The True Story Behind the Most Famous Scientist Portrait
Isaac Newton Bust: The True Story Behind the Most Famous Scientist Portrait
The bust of Isaac Newton – with its long wig, thoughtful gaze, and classical drapery – is instantly recognisable as the face of scientific genius. For over 270 years it has symbolised discovery, reason, and the laws of nature.
The Original 1689 Portrait by Godfrey Kneller
In 1689, at age 46, Isaac Newton sat for the celebrated portrait painter Sir Godfrey Kneller. The resulting oil painting – showing Newton with long flowing hair, a direct gaze, and an air of intellectual intensity – became one of the most reproduced images of the scientist.[1]
This Kneller portrait is the direct inspiration for our Acclaimed Figures bust, capturing Newton at the height of his creative powers.
The Famous 1755 Bust by Louis-François Roubiliac
In 1755, sculptor Louis-François Roubiliac created a marble bust of Newton for Trinity College, Cambridge. While posthumous, it drew from contemporary descriptions and earlier portraits, becoming the classic three-dimensional image of Newton.
Key Features of the Authentic Newton Portrait
- Long, flowing hair – the natural look from Kneller’s painting
- Deep-set eyes and contemplative gaze – the “thinking” look
- Classical drapery (in Roubiliac’s bust) – linking Newton to ancient philosophers
- Subtle intensity – reflecting his revolutionary mind
The Most Important Museum Examples
- National Portrait Gallery, London – original 1689 Godfrey Kneller painting
- Trinity College, Cambridge – 1755 Roubiliac marble bust
- British Museum, London – plaster cast from Roubiliac’s studio
Why These Portraits Became the Standard
Kneller’s 1689 painting shows Newton in his prime – the revolutionary scientist. Roubiliac’s 1755 bust presents him as the eternal sage. Together they define the Newton the world remembers.
Isaac Newton Bust Replicas
Original Kneller paintings and Roubiliac marbles are priceless museum pieces. The most accurate modern replicas are now produced in hand-casted unsaturated resin – offering excellent detail retention and durability.
At Acclaimed Figures we use hand-casted unsaturated resin for every bust, ensuring lifelike features and long-lasting quality. Our Isaac Newton bust is directly inspired by Godfrey Kneller’s 1689 portrait, available in Antique Bronze or Stone White, 25.6 cm tall, on an engraved charcoal base with “Isaac Newton 1643–1727”.
→ View the Isaac Newton Bust Replica
